Development of innovative cosmetic formulations to help fungal treatment and testing the efficiency of formulations

In the fungus of hands and toenails, the thickening of the nail and its yellow color are the first signs of attention. Fungus on the nails of the hands and feet is often caused by Trichophyton rubrum dermatophyte. They have antifungal properties due to the components found in lavender oil, geranium oil and tea tree oil structures. Oral antifungal agents used for treatment of nail fungi have serious side effects especially on liver. Therefore, topical applications have been given importance in recent years. However, in topical applications antifungal agents have difficulties in sending to the target area. For this reason, nanoemulsion technology was preferred in the thesis study. Nanoemulsion formulations of essential oils were prepared using ultrasonication method. Centrifugal and thermal test were applied as preliminary stability to the formulations and the pH value, viscosity, droplet size and polidispersity index of the formulations passing this step were measured and organoleptic controls were performed. In the long term stability test, each formulation was kept in room condition, climate cabinet and refrigerator for three months. Measurement of pH value, conductivity, viscosity, droplet size, polidispersity index, zeta potential and organoleptic controls were performed at certain period of time. Antifungal efficacy and transition studies were performed on the formulations F4P3-I (pelargonium), F4P3-L (lavender), F4P3-Ç (tea tree) and F4P3-K (mixture) which were successful as a result of all the tests mentioned above. According to the study, it was concluded that F4P3-I, F4P3-L, F4P3-Ç, F4P3-K formulations may help in the treatment of fungi. Key words: Lavender oil, geranium oil, tea tree oil, nanoemulsion, ultrasonication. This Project has been supported by İstanbul University Scientific Research Project Unit. Project No: 32758.